2018 Porsche 911 GT3 Quick Spin review

Pure perfection! Well, at least it is for those that still get a thrill out of being totally engaged with the machine they're driving.

That's because the Porsche 911 GT3, updated here as part of the 991.2 series and available with a six-speed manual transmission again, remains the closest thing you can get to a race car with number plates.

It is raw, simple and seemingly uncompromised in its basic principle yet there some form of voodoo running within it that makes it more liveable than you'd imagine.

How much does it cost and what do you get?

The GT3 slots into the middle of the vast array of 911 variants on offer, costing from $326,800 (plus on-roads) with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

For that you get a car with a singular focus on performance rather than outright luxury, with a host of lightweight features that are exclusive to the GT models, such as a roof made from magnesium, forged alloy wheels wrapped in sticky rubber, stiffer and lowered suspension and a body kit that produces genuine downforce at high speeds.

Even still, you don't lack for much, with a standard leather-lined two-seater cockpit, dual-zone climate control and a 7.0-inch colour infotainment screen with sat nav, Bluetooth, digital radio and Apple CarPlay.

As is the case with Porsches, there are myriad options available to tailor the vehicle to individual tastes and, in the case of the GT3, a greater focus for use on race tracks. Our particular test vehicle was fitted with a number of extras, including figure-hugging race bucket seats, a lap timer within its Sports Chrono function, black-painted alloys and the Clubsport package that adds a roll cage and six-point racing harnesses.

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Technically, there's enough storage space for your race kit or a couple of bags as, like all 911s, the GT3 has its engine mounted in the back of the car.

There you'll find one of the finest naturally-aspirated motors ever created, a 4.0-litre horizontally-opposed six cylinder that produces 368kW of power and 460Nm of torque on its way to a screaming 9000rpm redline.

While its outputs aren't as heroic as the range-topping Turbo models or the pinnacle of Porsche's sports car line-up, the GT2 RS, the GT3 can still rocket from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds when equipped with the PDK automatic, or 3.9 seconds with the short-throw manual that our car had, and maxes out with a top speed of 320km/h.

It's a glorious motor that not only spins freely all the way to its ear-piercing ceiling but is amazingly flexible with good pick-up throughout the rev range.

What's it like to drive?

Few cars are as enjoyable and engaging to drive as the 911 GT3.

Sure, there are machines that are faster, but most have been digitally neutered by modern electronics and turbo chargers. The GT3 is as purely mechanical as you can find these days, with the driver needing to interact with every element to extract its performance.

For starters, the engine needs to be revved hard to unleash its maximum outputs, but it feels like it loves it up there and never feels strained singing like a soprano, while the gearbox needs to be manhandled for quick shifts to keep it on the boil. The end result is, when driven hard, the GT3's powertrain is completely intoxicating.

Teamed with a chassis that equally comes alive when you grab it by the scruff, with steering so immediately responsive it feels as though it is telepathically linked to the driver, brakes that never give up and the combined effects of its stiff suspension, widened footprint and sticky tyres, the GT3 is absolutely one of the most rewarding cars to drive on the planet.

Unlike other supercars in its league, it never feels like its being restrained no matter how fast it's being driven, or the skill level of the driver. However, it somehow encourages those behind the wheel to constantly dig a little deeper every time they drive it, with the knowledge that it has more to offer.

It's the kind of car you would never tire of, or think you've reached its limits, if you participate in regular track days.

At the other end of the driving scale, the GT3 is far from being a one-dimensional machine and can be used as an daily driver – with some concessions. Yes, you'll feel more bumps in the road than a regular 911 and have to be more mindful of hitting the front splitter on speed humps. And, sure, the wide tyres, booming exhaust and reduced sound deadening make a racket inside the cabin when cruising. But you so easily forgive the GT3 for its foibles in favour of its performance and character.

What's it like inside?

Like everything else about the 911, the cabin is all about the car's primary purpose as a track-day warrior.

While there's less of the luxuries found in regular versions, it doesn't look or feel like a stripped-out racer – unless, of course, you want it to be, as Porsche will kindly keep the radio and air conditioning systems for free – with high-quality materials, beautifully tactile surfaces and modern conveniences like the infotainment system and secondary digital screens in the instrument cluster that can display a myriad of performance functions.

With the Clubsport Pack fitted, our test car married the charms and inconveniences of a road racer together. The figure-hugging bucket seats are super supportive and offer a low-set driving position, but can be difficul to climb out of and your undercarriage constantly rests on the buckle for the six-point racing harness even when using the conventional seat belt, which can get uncomfortable after a while. The roll cage also reduces useable space where the back seats would normally be, and the rear wing is positioned right in the middle of the windscreen, which hampers vision through the rear-view mirror.

Is it safe?

There is no independent crash-test ratings for expensive vehicles like Porsches, but needless to say the 911 GT3 protects its occupants pretty comprehensively – especially when fitted with the roll cage.

Even without it, the car is equipped with six airbags and electronic driver aids like anti-skid brakes and stability control. What it doesn't have is advanced systems such as adaptive cruise control with automated emergency braking or lane keeping assistance – it's not that kind of car.

Would I buy it?

Absolutely! In fact, I could quite happily live with a 911 GT3 for the rest of my life... it's that good.

It's a car that challenges and rewards drivers – at any level - in equal measure and unlike anything else in its mechanical purity. Yet, despite its narrow track-based focus, it is somehow civilised enough to be used everyday.

What else should I consider?

If you're after something not so track-oriented, a 911 Turbo doesn't cost that much more, or you could look at an Audi R8 or a top-of-the-line Jaguar F-Type SVR.

However, if you plan on regular track-day work then the Nismo GT-R or the Mercedes-AMG GT R sit either side of the GT3 on price. Otherwise, you'll be need an additional six-figures for something like the Lamborghini Huracan Performante.